life

Everything you’ve heard about Pheko is true

Everything you’ve heard about Pheko is true

It’s common for people to wax lyrical about someone who has passed. You know, not speaking ill of the dead and whatnot. But, if everything you’ve heard or read about Pheko Kgengoe since we lost him to the coronavirus this week seems really good, you can trust it.    It’s...
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Goodbye, Michael, Hello…new fan?

Goodbye, Michael, Hello…new fan?

Full disclosure: I've never cared about The Office. Not the British version. Not the American version. I don't know if I care right now but I will say this: I'm blindsided. I never espededit. Rewind. My Dude loves The Office. The American version. On a whim a couple of weeks...
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What it’s like to be in a doccie

What it’s like to be in a doccie

When MTV Base commissioned an African version of Yo! MTV Raps, I was asked to appear on one of the episodes. It was nice. It was a panel discussion about the relationship between kwaito and hip hop. Shortly after that, I was asked to appear in the documentary that accompanied...
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Can you make Africa future proof?

Can you make Africa future proof?

This year marks the third year that the SingularityU South Africa Summit will be held. I will be the first to admit that I had no idea what to expect when I rolled through to the media launch at the fancy Marble restaurant in Rosebank. The theme for this year...
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A weird but true story

A weird but true story

“Aunty H! What is an exhibition?” No sooner has one tiny mouth asked me this question, another asks and then, not to be left out, the littlest mouth also asks me. “Aunty H! What is an exhibition?” I’m at Sci-Bono in Newtown with one of my oldest friends, her daughter...
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A Massiv learning curve

A Massiv learning curve

I’ve heard, more than once, Oprah say something like: the only thing better than having something you like is sharing it. If Oprah says something, it must be true. Ha! No, seriously. A big part of why I love to talk to musicians is selfish. I am genuinely curious, so...
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Ways of loving, a short story

Ways of loving, a short story

My aunt has an eidetic memory. She’s super sensitive and really, a softie. It was my birthday last month and she called to wish me a fantastic one. The call was brief, even with her bringing up the kinds of things kids roll their eyes at, even though they tickle...
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On: My trip to Namibia

On: My trip to Namibia

It appears from the distance and runs towards the watering hole. Then it stops. Then it’s off running again. Then it stops once more. This time, I see what passes for a mischievous grin on its face as it takes off with a measured run that is part gallop and...
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Can I be a chameleon?

Can I be a chameleon?

“It’s like you’re a chameleon,” said my nail technician. She was selling me the dream of multichrome grabbers. I wasn’t convinced but since she’s never steered me wrong, I went with it. After a few days of marveling at how my nails change according to how the light hits them,...
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